International Translation Day

“Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.”- Günter Grass. Learning a new language can be exciting. However, one has to have the passion and dedication to acquire the skills of a new language. Most of us who attended high school have been exposed to a second language. Most secondary schools offer Spanish as that option regarding language. However, not many of us see ourselves as becoming translators. Notwithstanding this, translation can and is a viable career option. The world of translation offers numerous opportunities, among them is the chance to travel and experience new cultures. In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to observe September 30 as International Translation Day because it happens to be the feast day of the translator of the Bible, St. Jerome, who died in 420 AD. Established by the United Nations in 2017, International Translation Day serves as a tribute to the tireless efforts of translators and interpreters in promoting dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding among individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. International Translation Day is observed to acknowledge those who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure the seamless flow of information across linguistic boundaries, thereby facilitating communication in our ever-more interconnected world. International Translation Day is set aside to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. According to the United Nations (UN), languages with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet. There is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in attaining quality education for all and strengthening cooperation, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development. An essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples, multilingualism is also regarded by the United Nations General Assembly as a core value of the Organization. By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the Organization’s work, as well as greater effectiveness, better performance and improved transparency. The United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals. Several hundred language staff works in UN offices in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, or at the United Nations regional commissions in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva and Santiago. Translators are one type of language professionals employed at the UN. The six official languages at the United Nations are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Translators must achieve the highest quality standards in terms of accuracy, readability and the use of correct terminology, while also meeting workload standards and translation deadlines to ensure timely delivery. Translation at the United Nations refers to the translation of the written word, that is, the translation of written texts from one language to another. The translation of the spoken word, whether simultaneously or consecutively, is referred to as “interpretation”. Collaborative Effort. The UN states that their translators work as a team, sharing assignments and knowledge, consulting one another often and working together to solve any translation or terminology issues that may arise. Translators and editors systematically gather new or outdated terms, and research and verify them against authoritative sources, in consultation with in-house specialists from substantive departments, language professionals and outside sources, including technical experts and specialized websites. United Nations translators are required to have a perfect command of their main language and an excellent knowledge of, in most cases, two other official languages. They must also be able to write in a clear and perfectly grammatical style in their main language. The goal is to produce documents that are readily comprehensible to all into whose hands they fall, bearing in mind that many readers of United Nations documents, in particular the representatives of the Member States, will be working in a language other than their own. Translators need to be adept at carrying out research, using both United Nations and outside sources, and must remain abreast of developments in the subjects dealt with by the United Nations. Translators are expected to acquire substantive knowledge in the many fields of United Nations activity, in particular peace and security, development, human rights, budgeting, international law and climate change. Intellectual curiosity and willingness to master new subjects, in addition to superior linguistic skills, are therefore a must. Though demanding, the work also affords United Nations translators a unique opportunity to gain insight into world affairs and international diplomacy, to work on varied and high-profile texts and to become experts in specific subject areas. It is unacceptable that some schools at the secondary level do not offer their students a chance to pursue a second language. As a region, the Caribbean should promote a sense of multilingualism. Too many of our citizens are afraid of learning a second language. Of course, we are all bilingual, in that we speak our Mother Tongue Language, patois and a form of English Language. However, the time to revisit our education system is now in relations to translation. Our schools at the secondary level should be encouraged to have Translation Day. In fact the Education Ministry should consider adjusting their calendar to include Translation Day for secondary schools. It would be beneficial also to have more collaborative work with the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and our high schools in the area of Translation. Did you know that UWI offers a Master of Art in Translation? It is safe to say that enough is not being done at the various levels of the education system to inspire and encourage students to consider translation as a career option. As we observe International Translation Day may this day inspire a new generation of translations globally to tackle the important duties of sharing information across geographical borders. Happy International Translation Day. In the words of Toni Morrison, we do language that may be the measure of our lives. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalTranslationDay